Red-Faced

Working out hard leaves me red-faced, literally.  And because of it, the people who approach me to ask if I'm going to be okay don't see how I blush in embarrassment and shame.  Remember people, just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Now, I acknowledge that after an hour of cardio, I do look a little frightening.  My hair is all over and my face is beet red.  I'm not exaggerating about the color of red.  People constantly ask me if I'm okay, like I might stroke out any second.  I wish I could stop it from happening, but I can't.  If I'm too warm, I turn red.  If I'm embarrassed, I turn red.  If I have been exerting myself, I turn red.  The moral of the story?  More often than not- my face is day-glow red.  What can I say?  I like to stand out in a crowd.

In previous posts, I have told you that I don't dress up or put on make-up to go to the gym so you know I don't care much what I look like there.  However, this one thing that I cannot control or cover-up constantly causes me grief.  I know that my post-workout face could lead Santa through a whiteout blizzard on Christmas Eve; I just choose not to look at it.

Please don't misunderstand me; I appreciate the concern of these people who don't know me from the Tooth Fairy, but fielding these questions almost every single time I exercise has literally chased me out of the gym.  I work out at home now because at least there no one asks me if I need to sit down for a minute.  I like being anonymous at the gym.  I like to go, get it done and get the hell out of there.

By all means, if someone looks like they need immediate medical attention- ask.  Just don't be offended if it ends up being me and I clench my fists, stare you down and through gritted teeth mutter, "For the thousandth time, I'm fine.  My face is just red."